It is with profound sadness that we mourn the loss and also great joy that we celebrate the life of husband, father, and grandfather William (Bill) James Pillipow.

Bill was born on August 14th, 1931 to Nicholas and Sophie (Olynyk) Pillipow on their homestead in Good Eve, Sask. He was the oldest of eight children and at an early age it became apparent that he was an extremely intelligent young man and so to further his education he left the farm to finish his Grade 12 at Nutana Collegiate in Saskatoon. Bill went on to graduate from the University of Saskatchewan in 1957 with both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Law. It was during this time, while living at Mohyla Institute, that he met many of the people who would become lifelong friends and, most importantly, the young woman who would become his loving wife, Sonia Scory.

Bill articled in Saskatoon in 1957 and in 1958 he was admitted to the Law Society of Saskatchewan. Thus, began a busy time in the life of the young couple. Over the next four and a half years their four children, Odarka, David, Stephen and Lesia were born. During this time Bill established a private law practise in Wynyard and carried on the general practise of law for the next 30 years. In 1991 Bill and Sonia moved to Saskatoon where Bill joined in the practise of law with his son Stephen, daughter Lesia and daughter-in-law Shelley opening Pillipow & Company in general practise with great emphasis on First Nation Law.

His love of the law lead him to become involved as a Bencher of the Law Society of Saskatchewan from 1976 – 1982 and a Senate member of the University of Saskatchewan from 1978 – 1984. During this time, Bill established numerous educational scholarships for First Nation youth. Through his advocacy of the First Nations, he was made Honorary Chief Kinookimaw in 1972 - an honor he held with the utmost respect.

At heart a “farm boy”, Bill farmed land in the Wynyard area for over 20 years. His love of the land was enduring and he was supported in this love by his family. It was this love that brought about the establishment of a herd of registered Angus. He was a Director on the Provincial Board and Vice-President of the Saskatchewan Angus Livestock Association. It was only on their move to Saskatoon that his involvement with his beloved cattle came to an end.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years Sonia Pillipow, daughter Odarka and husband Alan Cruickshank, son David and wife Margaret, son Stephen and wife Shelley and daughter Lesia and husband David Ostertag. He is also greatly missed by his grandchildren Mark and Lisa Cruickshank, Jaime Cruickshank, Anna Pillipow, Alexandra Pillipow, Erin Pillipow, Evan and Erika Ostertag, Daniel Ostertag and Nicole Ostertag. Bill is also lovingly remembered by his siblings Patricia, Steve (Aileen), Donald (Jenny), Iris (Ted), Jackie (Ken), Peter (Joy) and brother-in-law Fred. He is also remembered by his sister-in-law Mary Lou Hleck and family.

The Prayer Service will be held on Thursday, September 8, 2016 at 7:00pm and the Funeral Service will be held on Friday, September 9, 2016 at 10:00 at All Saints Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 2616 Louise St. Officiants are Very Rev. Archpriest Peter Wasylenko and Very Rev. Archpriest Bohdan Demczuk. Interment to take place at Woodlawn Orthodox Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to The Alzhiemers Society, The Canadian Diabetes Association or to the Sherbrooke Foundation.